Apart from Shivas and Buddhas.... if there is one thing
that is omni-present in Javanese temples....it is Kala. The Javanese seem to be obsessed
by it. The first explanation they will give to you is....that it is a guardian to the
sanctuary. Well, this seems to be true. What they mostly don't realize, though, is the
fact that "guardians" are the "relics" of former religions. The more
powerful the original Deity, the more useful they are as protectors. Because Kala's are
everywhere, one may assume that this predecessor was the Supreme Divinity. of pre-Vedic
e.g. pre-Hindu pantheon. This was undoubtedly the All-Embracing Cosmic Mother. So that is
what Kala originally was, later degraded to a Hindu Guardian, Demon.... If this is true,
then the Javanese have always kept Her in their memories.... Mostly not aware of Her True
Nature. However, the Myth of the "Queen of the South Sees" (LINK) is proof of the fact, that
this connection is still alive. The unique thing about it is, that the latter corresponds
with the myth of Inanna, the Goddess/Queen of Sumeria, 5000 years ago!

A Kala
consits of a Head, two arms with on both end two dragons ("Makara's) (see photo
left), leaves, trees, flowers and people making offerings (below the Head) and a Tree of
Life on top...

The Tree of Life is symbolizing the overflowing abundance
of the Cosmic Womb (Kala's Head). It is the same symbolism, that you find in the
Primordial Symbol of Java and Indonesia: the Gunungan (LINK)

Kala representing the Original Cosmic Mother, the Source
of Creation and Destruction

Scientists wonder why the Face has only a upper jaw. Well,
it is symbolizing the destructive Aspect of the Cosmic Mother, Her wide-open Mouth
uninterruptedly sucking in the universe.

Two men
bringing offerings (see also right)

People, like everything else in the universe, are part
of the Law of Creation and Destruction, something they call fate. Their existence depends
on a favorable balance between the two Forces. Since archaic times it inspires them to
bring offerings.

Our world of
impermanence below Kala's arms

At both ends of Her arms are two snake/dragon-like
heads, often spewing heads, babies or animals. These heads are part of the Creation aspect
of the Great Mother ("Makara's). It is corresponding with the archaic notion of the
Lady and Her Beasts, whereby maculinity is born out of the Eternal Feminine

At the entrance of the Temple (Womb) one often sees
lion-heads with foliage or lower ranking guardians, the Beasts of the Lady. They are very
similar to the Green Men as found in and on churches in Europe

ditto

The central chamber

The roof, symbolizing the Cosmos as emanations
from the central Womb

Pawon was the first temple I visited.

One friend asked me: these your insights are unique. I have
never read anything close to it even. From where your insights come? I honestly can only
say this from insight. in the genealogy e.g. development of religions. I see an image and
without any deliberation I know the connection. Once the main traits are known, insight
into the details follow.

I was totally amazed, nay shocked to also find
Kala's inside

Mother and son

I looked once again to the outside of the temple. The Green
Beasts/Guardians from above.

Isn't She utterly beautiful? Even as Demons Her Primordial
Power is undeniable. It is exactly like the Green Men (LINK)
of the West. They also were demonized, yet their original glance and radiation is still
very much there.

In early Hinduism Kala was called Kirtimukha

Pawon, like many other Candi's were dedicated to the Cosmic
Womb, manifesting Herself as various Goddesses...

And....as Cauldron of Abundance, in the West
known as the Holy Grail.

Cosmic Tree of Life, also representing
abundance and fertility

Mysterious structure under Tree of Life

Two apsara-like female figurines

Tree of Life

Three big balls, presumably representing the
Trimurti, the unity of Creation, Destruction and "Permanence"